Lewis Hamilton reflects on 'uncomfortable' F1 season

Three-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed that there were a number of incidents at Mercedes during his 2016 campaign that he found 'a bit odd' and 'uncomfortable'.

The Briton finished second in a season marked by clashes with Mercedes teammate and reigning world champion Nico Rosberg, who took immediate retirement from the sport barely a week after lifting his maiden F1 title.

Rosberg needed at least a third-place finish to secure the crown, but Hamilton slowed down deliberately to allow red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Sebastain Vettel catch Rosberg in Abu Dhabi. The British ace twice ignored an order to speed up in his duel in the desert with Rosberg in a bid to snatch a fourth drivers' crown.

Although Hamilton didn't reveal anything specific, but admitted that there have been instances during the season which brought a tricky scenario for a team.

"There have been instances that have felt a bit odd. There have been some uncomfortable scenarios. But I should expect that. That comes with the territory when you've competed at the front for some time. It's a tricky scenario for a team when they've got two drivers fighting for a championship," Sport24 quoted Hamilton as saying.

The 31-year-old driver, however, insisted that he had learned a lot from all those experience about different characters as well as about himself.

"But what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger so through those experiences you learn a lot about different characters and also about yourself," he added.

Despite enduring a rollercoaster season, Hamilton insisted that he had learned a lot in 2016 and is now looking forward to work on his weaknesses and come back even stronger next year.

"I came out with more wins and more poles this year, which is great. Growth as a driver and also the bond that I have built with my guys is something that really strengthens me going into next year. I learned a lot about myself this year," he stressed.

"I understood where the weaknesses are that I can now improve for next year - although actually I did part way through the season," Hamilton added.